Mulugu district, a new tourism hub

​Mulugu (Jayashankar-Bhupalpally): It’s like a gift out of the blue. The people, predominantly tribes, in the region, who relentlessly fought for an Adivasi district with Mulugu as its headquarters for about two years and almost resigned to the fate, will now see a new beginning as they now stand to realise their most-cherished dream with the State government initiating process for it.

With a huge tourism potential to harness, probably Mulugu district will become most sought-after destination among the others that were split from the erstwhile Warangal. All famous laidback destinations – Ramappa Temple, Laknavaram Lake, Bogatha Waterfalls, Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Mallur and Gattamma Temples – will now be part of Mulugu district, in addition to the Asia’s largest tribal fair – Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara.

The locals fought for a separate district gallantly but in vain in 2016. However, winds started to blow in favour of locals when the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao promised to carve out a new district with Mulugu as its headquarters during his poll campaign for the party candidate, Azmeera Chandulal.

With Chandulal losing the election to Congress’ nominee Danasari Anasuya alias Seethakka, the hopes of new district evaporated among the locals. However contrary to their expectations, KCR, who led his party to a resounding win in the State, promptly stuck to his promise – creation of Mulugu district, after he became Chief Minister for the second consecutive time. He immediately directed the officials to prepare proposals for carving out Mulugu district alongside Narayanpet (presently part of Mahbubnagar district).

Against this backdrop, the State government, which studied pros and cons, issued Form-1 notification stating that it has decided to split Jayashankar-Bhupalpally to carve out another district with Mulugu as its headquarters to provide better administration. The government also invited suggestions and objections addressed to District Collector, Jayashankar-Bhupalpally, if any from the stakeholders before 30 days from the date of the notification.

As expected, Mulugu, Venkatapur, Govindraopet, Tadvai, Eturnagaram, Kannaigudem, Mangapet, Venkatapuram and Wajedu mandals will be the part of new district. The extent of Mulugu district would be 3,031 square kilometers with a population of close to 3 lakh in about 335 habitations.

Expressing gratitude to KCR, Mulugu Sammakka-Sarakka Jilla Sadhana Samithi founder-president Munjala Bikshapathi Goud told The Hans India said: “Well before the process of reorganisation districts had begun, we have formed a committee and fought for Mulugu district.

At a time when our hopes were evaporating, the government gave its acceptance leaving people on cloud nine.” We expected the inclusion of Ghanpur and Nallabelly mandals in the proposed district, however, the people in the region are happy as they sense all-round development of the region, he said. Meanwhile, Mulugu MLA-elect Seethakka also invited the State government’s move to carve out Mulugu district.